North and South

8/10

“We should understand each other better, and I’ll venture to say we should like each other more.” This ambitious text fully utilises its vivid characters to tell an emotional, compelling and satisfying story about the power of understanding.

While north and south are fixed points on a compass that can never be unified, the, apparently, divergent locations, classes, and behaviours described is this novel are reconciled through compassion, experience, and empathy. Indeed, the contrast between the busyness and activity of cities and quietness of the country; between poor Bessy and privileged Margaret – both 19 years’ of age; or between the simple workers, who feel they are trodden down, and their lofty masters; are all reconciled by the close of the novel, exemplified in the romantic relationship between unpolished Mr. Thornton and aloof Margaret. This is achieved through explorations of their differences and similarities and the relative merits and disadvantages of their respective characteristics. More notably, for me, was when Boucher describes Nicholas as a “worser tyrant than e’er th’ masters were” for his union activity, revealing him to be hypocritical and a harsh judge of his employers. Unfortunately, I partially ruined this book on myself by watching the series first. While it was very pleasant and enjoyable to read, there was no surprise with the plot. The writing was very competent and clear, but not quite as flowery and rich as I like it. With regard to strong characters, it was the tiny details that brought them to life. Out of the many moments I could relay, such as Dixon and Margaret’s rivalry concerning Mrs. Hale, I choose this, when Mr. Hale, the coward, appeals to Margaret to tell Mrs. Hale that they must leave Helston. “Mr. Hale would have delayed making it till half-past six, but Margaret was of different stuff. She could not bear the impending weight on her mind all the day long”. She’s got to get it out of the way as soon as possible and it makes her feel so real. While reading, I very strongly related to John Thornton and think he is a class act. I somewhat adhere to this views, offered as various points, of the strength of character or “iron nature” that is required for achievement by any self-made person. “Now when I feel that in my own case it is no good luck, nor merit, nor talent,—but simply the habits of life which taught me to despise indulgences not thoroughly earned,—indeed, never to think twice about them… I do not look on self-indulgent, sensual people as worthy of my hatred; I simply look upon them with contempt for their poorness of character.” Finally, Frederick belongs behind bars. He did the crime, but he won’t do the time thanks to an underhanded cover up. #Justice4Leonards